Tugster

Thanks for reading my blog, whose goal is to help landfolk see my home waters — the port of New York — from the water perspective. The “sixth boro” is my invented term for the waters in and around the port. Part of my motivation is that mainstream media are “terracentric,” overlooking sixth boro news to a large degree. I strive to be the opposite: maricentric. If you like what you see on this blog, tell me about it. My blog was featured in a February 18, 2011 profile by Alexis Mainland in The New York Times. Read it here.

In fact, if you see a vessel you think is unique in some way and have a camera, send me an email [ parrotlect ( at ) gmail (dot) com ] and maybe a foto and I may put it up, credit to you. I have no commercial intent, but I like the idea of collaboration and am easy to get along with. In fact, I have a whole series called “other peoples photos.”

Although the blog focuses on New York harbor and places accessible from it, my native “adopted” waters are on the Pow Wow in New Hampshire, flowing out of Country Pond, on whose bank I lived a few happy isolated years. The Pow Wow meanders about 30 miles to cover less than 5 miles as a heron could fly. Foto below from 2004 shows my preferred helm style up there, best way to see muskrats, beavers, water snakes, pickerel. Moose and bear are there too although I never saw any from the vessel. A favorite “eating-out” up there was paddling along the blueberry bushes for a snack.

This spring 2015, I received my Merchant Mariner Credential for Master “of self-propelled vessels . . . less than 100 gross tons upon inland waters” and am looking to work on this, although the job has to be a great fit. I also have the STCW BST and am thinking to prepare for the 200 t master soon. But I chose to follow a different path and currently work contractually with Blount Small Ships Adventures as onboard lecturer, as it seemed to build on skills I’d developed over decades. Some trips are recorded as Go West and Gallatin’s Ditches. There’ll be more soon.

Since 2013, my work–articles and photos–has also appeared in the magazine called Professional Mariner. For an article I wrote about moving oil in greater New York City by tugboat and barge rather than trucks, click here. For an article about the newest generation of NYC sewage tankers, click here. For an article about tugboats in Puerto Rico, click here.

I did the photos for this article about Capt. Log, now retired and scrapped, and wrote the story here about a new use for an older tugboat Cornell.

In 2011 Gary Kane and I began work on a documentary about the ship graveyard near Rossville in the Arthur Kill. I’ve written about the final product here and did a post about the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival here. You can order a copy here.

Gary Kane at DonJon Metal Recycling Facility, August 2011

Summer 2008 I completed an Masters of Fine Arts degree in writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts, a marker that has me plotting alternate courses. If you look on the left side of tugster page, you’ll see a yellowish icon of an oil refinery and reference to “Babylonian Captivity,” that is a free book you can read there, a non-fiction account of the August through December 1990 experience I had as a hostage in Iraq. Scroll through this article for evidence.

Personal stuff: I’m Aquarius, of course, of a dragon year. My favorite book as a kid was Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling. As a kid, I lived near Lake Ontario, where I learned to swim (Sodus) and the Erie Canal, where I first fished (Lyons).

Companion animal/familiar: feathered, green, ancient. Formerly the familiar of one Long John Silver, of which he speaks fondly. Can be convinced to reveal whereabouts of many buried treasures. Doesn’t respond to any name although I call him by Nigel, the name used by the man I inherited him from. When my neighbors looked after Nigel recently, I learned they renamed him Charlie.

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Nice to see you again on this marvelous picture… The best place on earth to find you…

I just took a quick look at your amazing blog for now… It has grown a lot since my last visit… Of course it is always in good shape for it has the best master…

I hope to come more often now that I added your blog to mine…Your are welcome to visit any time my blog, actually it will be a honor…it is nothing like yours… I have turned into a “poet” ( That’s what they call me). There is a few in English…I’m still working on it…

My best regards to you with a great summer ahead of you,
Alcina ( Cina)

Ahoy Tugster,
Do you have any up to date news on the fate of the Peking? Was she sold?
I’ve been poking around the virtual NYC harbor as a result of making a connection with a former owner of our little schooner who once lived there.
I’m wondering about the current state of her former home, the south street seaport which I gather has fallen on hard times… (I”m writing a little booklet for limited distribution about our little ship’s “life on the edge” in the littoral zone.)

I have been looking for pictures of Belcher And Coastal towing in Miami Florida and can not find any. I worked for Belcher Towing in the 60s and would like to find some photos. If you know where I could find some please let me know. Thanks

I recently acquired the old Belcher Towing yard on 22nd ave were the marine railway was located. I’m baffled at the lack of photos of this company and it’s equipment. If anyone’s got anything, please email me.

Hi Will, Great photos/text on the ‘Urger”…Did you get any images of her dressed-up as a McDonalds take-out @ the round-up, courtesy of the “Lois McClure” crew??? It was quite a prank!!!, but I didn’t get to see it, as I’d left for home in Rochester earlier. If not, do you have any idea where the images can be found online, as they’re supposed to be here somewhere??? Great to see you again, & get to know you better @ the Roundup!!!
Best regards, Rick Marcellus[“Urger ” deckhand(not Mike)

Tugster… stumbled upon your blog. Brings back some very happy memories. Dad used to be a quartermaster many years ago on Circle Line, and I heard all the stories of the comings and goings in NY harbor (at least during the summers when Circle Line was running). I always looked forward to being in the pilothouse with him for my once-a-summer trip as we circled Manhattan.

By the way, what’s considered the trickiest bridge for a tug to steer a container ship underneath? The Bayonne Bridge?

Hello Tugster. I was hoping you could point me in the right direction or lend me any information you might have on the tugboat called the “Evening Tide.” In about 1981, before I was born, my grandfather(from Bayonne) was a deckhand on the tug. He was actually killed on the boat when a thick rope snapped and hit him in the chest. That is the extent of what I have ever known, and I would just like to get any information/publication/pictures of or about the tug, that incident, or even the company. The end result would just be me finding out more about the grandfathers line of work and passing, and to present my father with all this information in a scrapbook. He was thrilled when I found the the picture of the tug on this blog, so I could imagine how he would feel with any type of information about his fathers time on the tug.

Edward Skowronski; Today is my 1st time viewing Tugster, odd that I ran across your post. In 1988 I worked aboard a tug called “Evening Tide”, as a beginner deckhand. “ET” was part of the Bouchard Transportation fleet, employed primarily in fuel barge work in the NYC area, but in the brief period I worked for Bouchard, I went as far south as Delaware then up to Philly, and as far north as Portsmouth, N.H. At that time Bouchard’s offices were located in Hicksville, Long Island , New York. Hope this helps you.
Regards, Wes from OPO

Whoops, sorry I left that out. His name was Edward Vincent Skowronski. I asked my father and he said he died in late may 1982 at the age of 55. Thanks for replying so fast and I appreciate the help. I was also thinking of contacting the company to see if they have any records from back then, like a crew log or anything like that, would you know if they hold information like that and if they even give it out? Thanks again for the help.

Hi I saw an article in the New York Times, it was called tugster and I noticed your request about your grandfather Bayone Ed . I worked with him a few times on the Evening Tide he was quite a guy well liked a good crew mate. everyone was very upset when he was injured and died.

Absolutely film from there tugster!!! Grew up on the Kill on First St. and Mom still lives there. Perfect views, especially as ships are guided under the Bayonne Bridge. Love watching, always have. Comming back as a tugboat captain and next time being a girl is not gonna stop me! Great blog!

A while back I had emailed you requesting any information regarding my grandfather who was the captain of the Gwendoline Steers. I did recieve a reply from you and then had to change my email address. Some of my family members who have also been doing research came across replys to me that were posted on your website. I unfortunately have not been able to locate these. If I could once again appeal to your kindness and enthusiasm and ask you to forward or direct me to any information you may have it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you from a fellow aquarian(of course)

Dear Tugster,
I’m visiting via Maggie’s “Postcards”.
My love of tugboats began when I was a little girl and my dad would take me down to the docks on the Phila. waterfront. I’ve ALWAYS thought tugboats exciting (seconded by pilot boats). If I can figure out a way to email you photos I took of a few tugs, I will certainly do that.
The photos of the tugs assisting the limping Carnival ship are remarkable. Kathy

Hi! Can you possibly tell me whatever happen to Tanker, STAVRONISI? Did Eleston sold the fleet? Where is it now? My brother-in-law is one of the crew and he didn’t contacted us for the past 3months now. Please advise.
Thank you and God bless.

I discovered your blog as I was looking for a quote about tug boats. I’m a writer about small business and hope to use the analogy of the tugboat being the driver just like small businesses are in the economy. Can you offer some suggestions? Thank you. Hope Player

This blog especially in the winter when by boat is out of the water, keeps me on an even keel (that was so bad..lol)! The pictures are great, and alot of great info. I am thinking of sailing from New Rochelle to FireIsland next summer, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Great blog man! Not too many people understand or appreciate what it is exactly that we do out here. I’m a tugboater in the San Francisco bay and I just started taking pics of the action out here. I’m really enjoying all the feedback I’m getting and would love to expand from just being a superstar on Instagram haha. What encouraged you to start the blog? Also I would be more than happy to send you some pics from this side.

hi scott- thanks for writing. i’d love to get pics from SF area. why’d i start? . . . i found taking pics a way to better understand what i was seeing. and for 2 summers i worked long hours on south street seaport’s tug and schooner pioneer, which allowed me to see a lot. response to my blog was positive and that and my interest/obsession/friendships sustain the blog. good luck and let’s keep in touch. will aka tugster

I was on the Harbor loop sunday 3/11/12:
They’re putting in Terra Cotta sewerage piping just around the corner from Snug Harbor,
Everything is like your photos missing bronze marker, salt at Atlantic salt RH Tugs Restaurant ….
The Bayone Bridge is still magnificent, i hope they don’t muck it up with the 10′
lift, christie has his best slackers pushing the port authority to get the job done.
If the port authority pushes back, this project will end up in the KVK,
then all the container ships will Have to go to Bayone and Red Hook

hey WilI hope you’re well,
I have an ACF 35′ xx” long- And I’m not exactly sure of the year. Wendy at Mystic couldn’t solve the mystery deep researching her records. It appears to be mid-thirties with an extra port (square) glass window on either side, giving the look of a possible custom extension (below deck) when compared with other ACFs which have 3 windows each side.
I also bedazzled & enchanted purchased it in Hull MA in 1989… it may have been built nearby. I underdstand ACF had boats built at different locations. I know McInnis’ son lived in Scituate next to Hull,MA. Spoke with him (phone call) about 10 years ago. He was friendly but very old sounding & grew tired easily.
Ever since 1989 I have drydocked it in various storage locations.
what say ye kind sir.
Thanks, Jeff

Will- Sounds good I’ll get some together soon, thanks. It’s got a good keel( the top 1″ or so is variably soft )but its a big thick keel & wood cell epoxy would bring it harder than new). With many good planks & ribs. Not all there though. Nowadays A few areas of acual rot in progress. I’d love to have the time to piece by piece bring her back however life has thrown a heaping portion( to say the very least) of curves to me since ’89.. Cheers, later

the work of the ferry–and other vessels on the harbor–must go on no matter what the other events. the fact that it DOES go on points to the essentiality of the actual working harbor. thanks for writing, elizabeth.

dwspmc . .. send them to the email address located on the left side of page . . . where it says “Questions, comments? Email tugster.” Files about 500k are high enough resolution. Also, send along any text/facts you can help me with like dates, stats, personal thoughts, explanations not obvious from the fotos themselves. cheers.

Hey Tugster, Happened upon your blog while surfing “fish tugs”. Spent many a day 50+ years ago watching the fishermen in Frankfort, Michigan coming and going out into the big lake in 30-55 ft “tugs”. All weather, all year, even into the ice. “Some brass”, to quote Bill Clinton.

Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your publish is just nice and that i can think you are a professional in this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to stay up to date with drawing close post. Thank you one million and please continue the rewarding work.

Sure do enjoy your blog. I’m down on the Gulf Coast-although I’ve always worked in the marine business, we don’t have anything nearly as cool or interesting as New York Harbor, so I really like your website. (The reference to the “sixth boro” is VERY cool). Anyway, as we are down here in hurricane country, we really feel for you guys as we know what it’s like to get clobbered by a storm. Hang in there and thanks for all the work putting this website together for all the rest of us…..Bill

Hello Tugster,
What do you want to know about the ex-Army Air Corps Air Sea Rescue Boat (Traveler) in Gloucester, MA? I owned the boat for several years and did some research on her history. Was owned after 1952 by a famous oil landscape artist.

Have been following your blog for some time and thought I should let you know how much I enjoy your work. You bring a very unique perspective to the waterways you travel on, something the rest of us will never see. Keep up the good work!!

I was on the Coast Guard Cutter Violet out of Baltimore in 1959,1962.Just like the Lilac.Hard working ship and warm in the winter,because of the steam.I ran that crane,with all the handles and yes that is were I slept..Is the Lilac still open? BMC Mitchell retired.

I’ve taken some decent photos of the McCaskill against sunsets at The West End of Jones Beach. I really learning about the vessel here, and would be happy to share some of the better sunsets , should they interest you. Yours, John Pellicciaro

The photo you posted about the ACF cruiser in Cape Cod “seller motivated”, there is no information to contact seller. Please tell me who or where to find more. I believe my father owned this same boat in the 1960’s, or at least one just like it. Have wondered what became of it for decades. Was sure it was gone, abandoned or destroyed. Very interested in buying it. Thanks, Scott scottcatherine@yahoo.com

In 1968-70 I was stationed aboard U.S. Army Tug LT-1975, in the deep-water port of Sattahip, Thailand. We made regular runs to Bangkok and back towing barges, and put many ships onto the docks. I wrote my first novel based on my experiences there, “The Bangkok Blues” is available on Amazon. I’ll send you some pics if you like.

Being one of three Barker brothers and also having twin boys, would appreciate any photos of the tug the Barker Boys. Did not see her on several trips to New York from Great Britain, last time on the Queen Mary 2 in September 2011. I am a ship nut.email is barkhouse@talktalk.net

Always enjoy your blog. I grew up in Bayonne & spent many hours watching the tugs, tankers, freighters and containerships on the KVK back in the day. Lived 2 houses in from the KVK from 1970 – 1973………spent a lot of time with my binoculars & stack chart following the traffic back then.

Just wondering if you could use your influence and maybe get a webcam set up somewhere along the KVK to follow all the traffic?

My late father, Williiam P. Tucker was a marine engineer on the Sanitation Department’s tug boat fleet between 1947 and 1967 (approx.). I remember the Fresh Kill, Spring Creek, and the Ferry Point which I saw photos of on the blog. I also recall a fourth boat, the Seneata (phonetic). It broke down often and dad was often called back to work to repair it. At the end of his career with Sanitation, the boats were often bearthed at the pier at foot of East 23rd St.